 Sprit of Our Time Raoul Hausmann... 1921 |
In 1916, during World War I, an international movement arose that declared itself against art. Responding to the absurdity of war and the insanity of a world that gave rise to it, the Dadaists declared that art--a reflection of this sorry state of affairs--was stupid and must be destroyed. Yet in order to communicate their outrage, the Dadaists created works of Art ! This inherent contradiction spelled the eventual demise of their movement. For all its bravado, Dada ended with a whimper in 1922.
In an effort to advertise their nihilistic views, the Dadaists assaulted the public with irreverence. Not only did they attempt to negate art, but they also advocated antisocial and amoral behavior. Marcel Duchamp offered for exhibition a urinal entitled Fountain.
Later he summed up the dada sensibility in works such as MONA LISA in which he defiled a color print of DaVinci's masterpiece with a mustache and goatee and the letters L.H.O.O.Q. which in french means "She's Got a Hot Ass"... referring da Vinci's supposed homosexuality. A direct attack on one of the "olympians" of the Renaissance and the epitamy of rationalism, Da Vinci.
 Bicycle Wheel Marcel Duchamp. 1913 |
 Replica of L.H.O.O.Q. Marcel Duchamp.. 1919 |
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DaDa in Germany took on a stronger political edge. Especially in the work of George Grosz and Hannah Hoch and their attacks on the Wiemer Republic.
In Grosz's Germany, everything and everybody is for sale. All human transactions, except for the class solidarity of workers, are poisoned. The world is owned by four breeds of pig: the capitalist, the officer, the priest, and the hooker, whose other form is the socialite wife (a point made a little more subtle by Kirchner in his Berlin Street).
Daum Marries her Pedantic Automation George in May 1920: John Heartfield is very glad of it. by George Grosz... 1920
Lynn University Art Appreciation
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